The Importance of "Events"

Defining terms in literature is a common and useful requisite in understanding what is being conveyed. William Sewell uses this idea of definitions to express a common word, events, in a more complex way, by using the taking of the Bastille as an example. In the sense that Sewell gives, the taking of the Bastille was an event that sparked the ideas of a modern revolution with ideas of equality, acceptable popular violence, and the duration it takes for an occurrence to become legitimate. Sewell’s specific redefinition of the word event is stated as, “sequences of occurrences that result in a transformation of structures.” (227) The occurrence is the taking of the Bastille, which resulted in a transformation of the French Revolution.
In modern America, and in many parts of the world, the people is a term that that is used to symbolize democracy and union. It is that specific phrase that gives individuals freedom and liberty. However, in 18th century France, the people had a more demeaning definition. The People was a term that was tied to the lowest of class in France and other monarchies across Europe. During this time, the taxing system was based on the Third Estate providing the majority of the funds to stimulate the economy since the Clergy and Nobility were exempt. However, with 98 percent of the population belonging to the lower class, the funds simply were not available. At the end of the 18th Century, costs to live rose 62 percent while wages only grew 25 percent compared to the beginning of the century making living near impossible let alone providing to the monarchy government. Citizens of France were to live under the laws set by the highest order of power and were given no opportunity to voice their opinions. It is these citizen inequalities that the Battle of the Bastille brought to great attention. After declaring this riot as a legitimate revolution based on popular sovereignty, the National Assembly had the foundation to set up a civilized and